Week Four - Multimedia Fun

This week we looked at Group Two Tools which were modes of Multimedia. This encompassed Still Images, Digital Videos and Audio Files. Multimedia is the perfect way to express creativity and the amount of work that goes in, is apparent! It is fun to work with different types of multimedia; however time is definitely a necessity to get the best results.

Still Images

Still images are one of the most popular modes of multimedia. They have become easier to achieve with the development of cameras, computers, phones and other digital devices such as iPods. Still images can be printed onto photo paper and framed or put into albums, uploaded onto social networks such as Twitter and Facebook and even sent to others with digital devices. They can also be manipulated extensively to achieve required look and edited to enhance a photo. 

Look at the difference between the following examples of image manipulation with Before and After shots.

http://www.sluuter.com/sample-page/before-after-before-and-after-photoshop-2-by-thalesrc-b/

http://dipdive.com/member/TuesdayTB/pictures/158252

Personally I feel that still images in a teaching context are vital for learning. They help accommodate and support the needs of visual learners, enhance engagement, influence feelings and emotions and facilitate in the transformation of learning.

Here is a still image that I took with my camera whilst in Barcelona and have edited in an image manipulation program called Picnik. I then uploaded it onto my Flickr account where numerous photos can be stored shared and viewed online.

Plus	Minus	Interesting
- Enhance, support and transform learning - Influence mood - Images can be manipulated to acquired outcome - Can be edited to cover mistakes, manipulate focus, enhance settings - Pictures tell 1000 words	- Copyright laws apply - If uploaded onto public website – anyone can view - Permission needs to be granted by parent/guardian for children’s’ photos - Most Still Image programs cost money	- There are many ways still images can be taken – camera, phones, computers, music devices etc. - There are many Image Manipulation programs available – most of which come with cost - Most learners are visual learners to some extent

Digital Videos

Digital Videos are another mode of multimedia and can be used for entertainment, conveyance of ideas, views and beliefs, creative outlet, and evaluation and reflection. They can incorporate text, still images and audio files. 

Digital videos are also an effective tool for engagement as they address two of the five senses; sight and sound, enhancing students’ overall learning. Making a digital video is more time consuming than the other types of multimedia but in my opinion the end result is much more rewarding as it can be evident of the amount of time and effort put in.

Digital videos were once created with just a video recorder. Nowadays Digital Videos can now be recorded with various devices such as phones, computers, iPods, and cameras. This means Digital Videos and movie making is now more popular than ever. 

Programs such as MovieMaker or iMovie, normally come installed on any Window PCs or Apples and are extremely simple to navigate. The only issue with creating your own Digital Video is that is can be very time consuming. Getting timing perfect or the desired outcome can be a strenuous job, but the overall result (I believe) is worth it!

Outcomes of Digital Video incorporation in classroom

-Higher order thinking

-Communication

-Expression of creativity

-Literacy and numeracy development

-Organisational skills

-Teamwork building

Below, is a diagram that describes the Outcomes of incorporating Digital Videos into the classroom.

aaalab.stanford.edu/papers/Designed_Video_for_Learning.pdf

Plus	Minus	Interesting
-Effective way to incorporate technology into learning -Used for – Ø  Entertainment Ø  Conveyance of ideas, views and beliefs Ø  Creative outlet Ø  Evaluation and reflection -Very rewarding -Most computers include simple movie making programs -High order thinking is required -Good communication tool -Collaboration method -Skill development -Engages students	-Time consuming -Technology does not always work properly -May be difficult to obtain proper video recorder -Some copyright restraints may apply -May become distracting -Digital video websites such as YouTube may be blocked on school computer base	-Uses all types of multimedia – recorded footage, still images and audio files -Utilises two of five senses – sight & sound -Easy movie making programs means young children can create movies -Can upload digital videos into blogs -Challenges students to think outside of ordinary boundaries

Audio Tools

Audio files are another strand of the Multimedia family. They are sound files that include music, voice and sound recordings, sound effects and commentary. There are many devices that enable these sounds to be recorded, edited and enhanced. They include voice recorders, computers, phones, iPods and cameras. These devices make recording sound, music, speeches and even class sessions an easy task. There are a number of programs and tools that enhances audio files and provides an opportunity to share with others.

Audacity is a free downloadable program that allows sound recordings to be edited, improved and combined. This program is exceptional for merging different music and recordings to create one sound file. This is a great starting tool for budding DJs.

Podcasting is a way to take these self produced files and to share them with the rest of the world. Podcasts are also handy if you want to tune into a radio broadcast that you missed or enjoyed.

iTunes is a program that keeps music in one place and organised. It downloads music, television shows and movies legally and comes at a cost. It is also a place where podcasts can be located. 

Vokis are another great way to utilise sound files and recordings. It is an online tool that creates a character and gives them a voice of your choice. It can be either a recording voice or one of their pre-recorded voices which are very robot-like. At the top of this page you will find my Voki "Gingy". As I didn't have a voice recorder on my computer, I had to choose an automated voice. I still love him though!!

Some ideas to enhance valuable learning with Audio Tools include

-Self-guided tours

-Music composition and mixing

-Interviewing

-Storytelling

-Training

-Learning new language

-Study tool

-Relaxation method

Plus	Minus	Interesting
-Enhances, supports and transforms learning -Good for individual work -Recording is simple task -Assists with verbal learners	-Can become distractive -Can be time consuming -Finding a good audio program can be difficult -Quality can become poor	-Can provide large number of resources -Sound recording devices include voice recorder, phone, computer, iPod, camera -Cannot upload sound files to some blogs (in particular this blog)

Click this link to listen to an audio file that I created in a free downloadable program called Audacity and uploaded to a Podcasting website -PodOmatic.

Apology Mix